Psychologist visit #1

So, my hip pain is not subsiding or giving me any relief, so I'm in pain management. The first doctor I saw was a moron. So, doctor #2 has a psychologist in his building and he referred me to him. I saw him last Thursday for the 1st time. He is nice, thorough, and understands my situation. He said he can not only help me with my pain but he knows what trich is and he can try to help me with it. We did not discuss it at length since I mentioned it at the end of our session. I will be seeing him next month so we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

pain, stress, anxiety and pulling

I have had a nice long weekend off work. Took a paid day Friday, only went to the grocery store, then relaxed at home. Had a very good friend over and stayed up super late. I don't think I did anything Saturday... I'm pretty sure I slept all day. Sunday, had a baby shower to go to, lots of fun and Korean food. It was amazing, the 1st time i ate it. Then a cook out at my friend's house, good food, good friends and more booze.
Those are the good points, the bad: Saturday night I had to take an Ativan to relax about not knowing very many people at the shower Sunday. Every time I'm worried or stressed I pull. I'm wanting to pull now just thinking about it. I don't like people. I have a small group of friends that are like family and when i go out of my comfort zone, my anxiety spikes. I've been picking at my pimples a lot as well. Gross. I know. Also, my hip has been aching like crazy the last 2 days, sitting on furniture I'm not familiar with and on lawn chairs isn't good for my bad hip. *breathes in and out*
I've got meds to take...
Thanks for reading. I hope for some profess soon.

it's been a hot minute

so, like the title says, it's been a hot minute since i've posted on here. So an update is in order. I had surgery in November to correct another tear to the labrum in my left hip. I tore between the anchors installed during my first surgery so the Ortho had to take out about a dime sized piece of cartilage. I am in pain every day now. I tried to go back to work Feb. 3rd and lasted a couple weeks. I'm back on leave to see if rest and more PT would help, but it hasn't. So, how does this relate to Trich, Anna?

While healing from surgery, I pulled my eyelashes much less and only messed with my eyebrows a little. Then it got worse as I was getting ready to go back to work. Since I've been off work again, I pull every day. I have a ritual where I set up a mirror and desk lamp and use tweezers to pull. My mother in law got the mirror for me years ago and the magnification side is perfect for Trich... which is terrible for my eyelashes. I used to have the mirror on my desk in the living room, but moved it to the bedroom since that is the only place I'm comfortable. I hate having to live in this one room, but it helps. I wish I could find a job that I can do from home so I don't have to sit at a desk all day. I also wish i could live a lower stress life so that I can stop pulling. I also would love to be healthy so I could study photography and finish my degree. I'm trying to not whine and complain about my condition. I'm overweight, I don't work out enough, and I eat crappy. I know I need to make changes, and they are difficult to do. Sigh. I'm only 31 but I know the meaning of "you're not getting any younger".
I'm curious if anyone else wants to pull more when they write about it? I just got the urge to pull my eyelashes right now :-/
Ok, I do need to say something positive. I have the most supportive and loving husband. He doesn't mind that I have no eyelashes. He has Tourette's Syndrome and understands not being able to quit an urge, his tics are clearing his throat and a few others. He's kept the house clean, my laundry done, meals made. I'm so thankful for him. <3

trich'n trich'n

I can't believe I haven't posted since April! Oops! Unfortunately, I have not made any progress with my trich. I have been super stressed out with school. For those who don't know, I work full time (at least 40 hours a week), and am taking 7 credit hours at the University of Dayton. Last Monday, I was playing in the back yard with my dog and I turned wrong, and hurt my left hip. The same one I had surgery on last year. I see the orthopedic surgeon Monday to figure out what's wrong. I think I'm going to have to drop my classes and focus on healing before I go back. I am hoping to work on my trich as well. :-/

Negligent blogger

It's been a long time since I've updated this. I did a PSA for my photography class on Trich. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. I bared my soul in public, showed myself for the freak I really am. But, my professor loved it. I would like to do more images, and bring this disorder to light.
Since then, I've been super stressed out which caused me to put my eyelashes to the point where they're almost completely gone again. I'm really upset by this, but trying my best to bounce back.

I just have to stay focused and remember I'm beautiful no matter what.

progress, but for how long?

Since my recovery is going well, I have not been pulling as much. I've even managed to regrow a large number of eyelashes. the one worry I have now is I start class on tuesday, and then work the following week, so I'm not sure if I can keep my pulling down to a minimum or will the stress get to me. I'm still following Joan Kaylor on Facebook for her online help for pullers/pickers.
Here's hoping...

Just feel like writing

This is not a post about my Trich, just more of a thought process being typed. It has now been a month since surgery. I'm progressing, started physical therapy, should be putting some weight on my left leg next week. Dealing with my absence management company is a headache and a half. I understand they need to know that this was a necessary procedure, that they want proof I need to be off work until January, but do I need to send paperwork every month? They have the post-Op notes detailing how extensive my surgery was, so they should know recovery lasts longer than 1 or 2 months. Right now I have a tentative return to work of 1/23/13. Also, having to worry about our health insurance paying for the surgery. I've been CC'd on requests to the hospital for information on why I had surgery. Ugh, I can't afford this. I need to rest and recover. This is not helping. Well, I guess this is going to be about my Trich since it's made me pull my eyebrows and lashes more. I can't handle this stress, well that's not exactly true. I do have a great husband who keeps things in perspective and takes wonderful care of me.
On a happier note, I got to eat thanksgiving dinner with my parents. I feel bad that I only saw my in-laws for a little bit. The pain was unbearable by the time I got there. My poor mother-in-law is worried we aren't coming to see them at Christmas, which we will be.
Ok, enough writing for today.